'Push to Reopen Houses of Worship in Europe and Mideast Brings Perils and Tensions' diff viewer (8/9)

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Push to Reopen Houses of Worship in Europe and Mideast Brings Perils and Tensions	Push to Reopen Houses of Worship in Europe and Mideast Brings Perils and Tensions
2020-06-10 00:47:27 UTC	2020-06-13 06:36:31 UTC (3 days later)
BERLIN — As nations weigh the calculus of reopening parts of society after locking down because of the coronavirus, Germany has plunged ahead after bringing its outbreak under control, reopening houses of worship and allowing the faithful to gather again in larger numbers.	BERLIN — As nations weigh the calculus of reopening parts of society after locking down because of the coronavirus, Germany has plunged ahead after bringing its outbreak under control, reopening houses of worship and allowing the faithful to gather again in larger numbers.
That decision has had pivotal consequences, with a new cluster of cases emerging: Forty churchgoers tested positive after a May 10 service at a Baptist church, the German health authorities said on Friday. Six parishioners were hospitalized, according to Wladimir Pritzkau, a parish leader.	That decision has had pivotal consequences, with a new cluster of cases emerging: Forty churchgoers tested positive after a May 10 service at a Baptist church, the German health authorities said on Friday. Six parishioners were hospitalized, according to Wladimir Pritzkau, a parish leader.
“We followed all the rules,” Mr. Pritzkau told the DPA news agency, adding that the church did not know how many people attended the service two weeks ago.	“We followed all the rules,” Mr. Pritzkau told the DPA news agency, adding that the church did not know how many people attended the service two weeks ago.
The state of Hesse, where the infections occurred, has been allowing church services under special guidelines, including asking worshipers to keep five feet apart and requiring churches to have disinfectant readily available. Now, the church has since moved its weekend services, which are held in German and Russian, back online.	The state of Hesse, where the infections occurred, has been allowing church services under special guidelines, including asking worshipers to keep five feet apart and requiring churches to have disinfectant readily available. Now, the church has since moved its weekend services, which are held in German and Russian, back online.
The new cluster illustrated the perils of trying to restore some semblance of normalcy amid the relentless persistence of the virus. Germany reported 431 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, bringing the country’s toll to 178,281, with 8,247 deaths.	The new cluster illustrated the perils of trying to restore some semblance of normalcy amid the relentless persistence of the virus. Germany reported 431 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, bringing the country’s toll to 178,281, with 8,247 deaths.
In the United States, President Trump has pressed state officials to allow church gatherings, declaring religious institutions “essential.” The dispute has become bitterly political and part of the nation’s culture wars, with critics accusing Mr. Trump of playing to his base at a time of eroding support. But some U.S. churches are pushing back on their own against restrictions on in-person worship while others continue to pray over Facebook or YouTube.	In the United States, President Trump has pressed state officials to allow church gatherings, declaring religious institutions “essential.” The dispute has become bitterly political and part of the nation’s culture wars, with critics accusing Mr. Trump of playing to his base at a time of eroding support. But some U.S. churches are pushing back on their own against restrictions on in-person worship while others continue to pray over Facebook or YouTube.
In Jerusalem, the Holy Sepulchre church reopened after a two-month lockdown. In the West Bank, protesters on Sunday demanded that mosques be reopened for Eid al-Fitr, the festival that marks the conclusion of the Ramadan fasting month.	In Jerusalem, the Holy Sepulchre church reopened after a two-month lockdown. In the West Bank, protesters on Sunday demanded that mosques be reopened for Eid al-Fitr, the festival that marks the conclusion of the Ramadan fasting month.
And in France, the faithful took the first tentative steps to worshiping in groups again this weekend after a lockdown, while observing social distancing and wearing masks. Some small churches reopened Saturday; the first Mass was on Sunday. The moves followed a legal challenge to the French government’s ban on public worship that was not set to be lifted until the end of May.	And in France, the faithful took the first tentative steps to worshiping in groups again this weekend after a lockdown, while observing social distancing and wearing masks. Some small churches reopened Saturday; the first Mass was on Sunday. The moves followed a legal challenge to the French government’s ban on public worship that was not set to be lifted until the end of May.
Last Monday, the Council of State, France’s highest administrative court, ordered the government to reopen churches, mosques and synagogues within eight days, saying that worship is a fundamental freedom that could be reconciled with appropriate measures to protect health. The decree lifting the ban with immediate effect was issued late on Friday and caught most of France’s religious leaders off guard.	Last Monday, the Council of State, France’s highest administrative court, ordered the government to reopen churches, mosques and synagogues within eight days, saying that worship is a fundamental freedom that could be reconciled with appropriate measures to protect health. The decree lifting the ban with immediate effect was issued late on Friday and caught most of France’s religious leaders off guard.
“It was a nice surprise,” said the Rev. Antoine De Folleville, the parish priest, noting that it had coincided with the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord. “It’s a great joy to finally be reunited with our parishioners.”	“It was a nice surprise,” said the Rev. Antoine De Folleville, the parish priest, noting that it had coincided with the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord. “It’s a great joy to finally be reunited with our parishioners.”
On Sunday, there was a sense of both joy and anxiety in the church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris as Catholic worshipers returned en masse for the first time after a two-month hiatus.	On Sunday, there was a sense of both joy and anxiety in the church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris as Catholic worshipers returned en masse for the first time after a two-month hiatus.
“How should Communion be given?” a woman asked Father De Folleville. “With pliers?”	“How should Communion be given?” a woman asked Father De Folleville. “With pliers?”
“No, we’ll wash our hands with alcoholic gel right before taking up the host,” said the priest, who was making final preparations before celebrating his first public Mass in 10 weeks.	“No, we’ll wash our hands with alcoholic gel right before taking up the host,” said the priest, who was making final preparations before celebrating his first public Mass in 10 weeks.
Austria and Italy also lifted bans on public worship this month. In Spain, houses of worship have progressively reopened since the start of this month, with a limit of one-third or half the full occupancy depending on the provinces. To help reduce the risk of contagion, the Roman Catholic Church in Spain put in place safety measures, including avoiding choir singing because of the difficulty of maintaining safe social distances. But Britain has not yet allowed places of worship to unlock their doors.	Austria and Italy also lifted bans on public worship this month. In Spain, houses of worship have progressively reopened since the start of this month, with a limit of one-third or half the full occupancy depending on the provinces. To help reduce the risk of contagion, the Roman Catholic Church in Spain put in place safety measures, including avoiding choir singing because of the difficulty of maintaining safe social distances. But Britain has not yet allowed places of worship to unlock their doors.
France is one of the last countries in Western Europe to reopen its places of worship, nearly two weeks into the easing of its lockdown. Catholics in the country had long called for the reopening, saying that churches could restart services as soon as proper health precautions were taken. Jews and Muslims in France took a more cautious line, saying that synagogues and mosques were unlikely to reopen until early June.	France is one of the last countries in Western Europe to reopen its places of worship, nearly two weeks into the easing of its lockdown. Catholics in the country had long called for the reopening, saying that churches could restart services as soon as proper health precautions were taken. Jews and Muslims in France took a more cautious line, saying that synagogues and mosques were unlikely to reopen until early June.
On Sunday morning, the cobbled forecourt of the church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris was the scene of a ballet of tentative worshipers, nervously adjusting the masks on their faces as they entered the church, where volunteers in pink fluorescent vests handed out disinfectant gel.	On Sunday morning, the cobbled forecourt of the church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris was the scene of a ballet of tentative worshipers, nervously adjusting the masks on their faces as they entered the church, where volunteers in pink fluorescent vests handed out disinfectant gel.
Inside, two of every three seats were marked with a sign forbidding people to sit, to ensure that they kept a safe distance from one another. About 200 people gathered in the church, which can accommodate 800.	Inside, two of every three seats were marked with a sign forbidding people to sit, to ensure that they kept a safe distance from one another. About 200 people gathered in the church, which can accommodate 800.
“It’s like a rebirth to be able to come back here — it was a real need,” said Franck Huillo, 56, adding that he had almost “given up praying during the confinement.”	“It’s like a rebirth to be able to come back here — it was a real need,” said Franck Huillo, 56, adding that he had almost “given up praying during the confinement.”
The Rev. Matthieu Rougé, a French bishop who was in charge of coordinating the church reopenings, said that “religions must take their rightful place to contribute to the renewal” of the country after the crisis.	The Rev. Matthieu Rougé, a French bishop who was in charge of coordinating the church reopenings, said that “religions must take their rightful place to contribute to the renewal” of the country after the crisis.
“But we can’t live in constant fear,” Father Rougé said, adding that he would see to it that every church that reopened in his diocese complied with health precautions.	“But we can’t live in constant fear,” Father Rougé said, adding that he would see to it that every church that reopened in his diocese complied with health precautions.
“We can’t live like this, with the shops full and the churches empty,” he said.	“We can’t live like this, with the shops full and the churches empty,” he said.
He acknowledged that there were fears that churches could turn into new clusters of infection. In mid-February, a large gathering of 2,000 worshipers at an evangelical church in eastern France, the second-most-affected region after Paris, contributed to spreading the virus across the country.	He acknowledged that there were fears that churches could turn into new clusters of infection. In mid-February, a large gathering of 2,000 worshipers at an evangelical church in eastern France, the second-most-affected region after Paris, contributed to spreading the virus across the country.
~~Updated June 5, 2020~~	Updated June 12, 2020
	Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.	So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.	A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.	The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.	Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.	Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.	States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.	Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)	If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.	Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.	The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.	If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.	If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
In a statement released on Saturday, Chems-Eddine Hafiz, the rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris, said that he would continue “to place the health safety of worshipers above all other considerations,” and encouraged Muslims to celebrate Eid at home.	In a statement released on Saturday, Chems-Eddine Hafiz, the rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris, said that he would continue “to place the health safety of worshipers above all other considerations,” and encouraged Muslims to celebrate Eid at home.